A wildfire near Los Angeles, known as the Post Fire, has rapidly spread to 12,265 acres, prompting evacuations, officials said Sunday. The fire began Saturday afternoon near the Interstate 5 freeway in Gorman, roughly 68 miles northwest of Los Angeles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). As of Sunday afternoon, the blaze was only 2% contained.
Firefighters from the Los Angeles Fire Department and other agencies are battling the fire as it moves through the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area in Lebec, California. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
Cal Fire reported that California State Park Services evacuated 1,200 people from Hungry Valley Park in Gorman, with the fire threatening two commercial buildings but no homes. Both Hungry Valley recreation area and Pyramid Lake reservoir were closed due to the fire threat. Crews are working to construct perimeter fire lines, and aircraft are attempting to halt the fire’s spread despite limited visibility.
Officials advised residents to remain alert and ready to evacuate if conditions change, as temperatures are expected to rise and humidity to decrease through the weekend. Winds are forecasted to increase from 9:00 P.M. to midnight, with gusts reaching up to 30 MPH and over 50 MPH at ridge tops.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles issued a red flag warning for the I-5 corridor until 5 p.m. on Monday due to high winds and low humidity. The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has prepositioned fire engines and personnel in multiple counties to address the fire.
Historically, wildfire season runs from July to late November to early December, with the driest conditions perfect for igniting and burning vegetation. Strong winds during these months also contribute to fire behavior.
Contributing: Kristen Apolline Castillo, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Wildfire near Los Angeles spreads to 12K acres, forcing evacuations